November 2005

You can tell you're at the right house when you smell the aroma of saut/ing garlic wafting out onto the sidewalk. Soon you witness a whirlwind of activity in the windows - kids with spatulas, sounds of pulsing Cuisinarts, and steaming pots simmering on the stove.

It's time for the annual mini-Thanksgiving cooking class for kids at Silver Table Cooking in Arbor Heights. Kyle, 12, crumbles cornbread for the dressing while Lizzy, 15, grates cheddar for a batch of mac and cheese. Alex. 11. chops oranges for the cranberry-orange relish and Charlotte.

We hope that someday soon the citizens of this city can, as a whim, order Seattle City Council members to be re-elected five time before they can serve.

I am writing in response to an article that appeared in the Nov. 2nd issue of your newspaper regarding the annexation or incorporation of the North Highline area.

The article quoted one of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council members, King County Deputy Steve Cox. The article noted: "Steve Cox made up his mind that it's better to annex to Burien.

It is fairly apparent that North Highline Council Member Steve Cox is engaging in false propaganda and fear mongering every time he slams South Park.

I have lived here for three-plus years and have seen a general improvement in almost every aspect of South Park from our residential area to our business area.

We have one of the largest Neighborhood Association participations based on percentage of attendance vs. population. We have one of the most diverse involved communities I have ever seen.

Mr.

The hypocrisy in Priscilla Cup's overblown, self-righteous little essay (How Does Hatred Begin?) (Nov. 9) made me laugh out loud. In it, she stresses the need for "open communication" and "discussion of alternate cultures, religions, and political views."

However, I don't see Priscilla doing much communicating or discussing. Did she ever ask Ruth's parents for discussion or clarification about a second-hand remark passed along by - excuse me - a five-year-old?

The situation you relate is very similar to one I was involved in (How does hatred begin?, Nov. 9).

A girl that my daughter had been friends with in preschool was told by another child that the reason she hadn't been invited to my daughter's birthday party was because of her parent's political affiliation. In reality, the girl was left off the birthday list simply because my daughter was at a different school and had made new friends.

It is unfortunate that the inept actions of the monorail board and Seattle city government killed off the monorail project by making voters question the project. It is truly a sad day for West Seattle since it is more unlikely that efficient mass transit will occur here before the Alaskan Way Viaduct is torn down. The concept of elevated monorail rapid transit is a good one, the financing plan wasn't.

However, my hope for our community is that there will be the political will to build a spur of Sound Transit's Link Light Rail to West Seattle.

While I applaud citizen desire to be involved in community affairs, particularly in taking an active role in their own governance, I question the appropriateness of some members of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council in representing me or my neighbors.

Steve Cox can and should voice his opinion as a resident of the area, however, as a King County Sheriff's deputy, his outspoken support of annexing to Burien rather than Seattle is suspect. After all, his current job and livelihood depend on annexation to Burien.

In response to "House Meets Height Law" of Nov. 2.

The new "dream house" being built by Vassil Dimitrov on the water side of the 4200 Block of Beach Drive is now blocking the view of the water for most owners of condos and apartments across the street.

Contrary to Mr. Dimitrov's statement, how could any of us be happy with this four-story house?

I live and work in West Seattle and felt I must send you a letter of a very disappointing experience that I recently had.

I, as do many of my clients, coworkers, neighbors and friends, frequent many of the West Seattle Junction stores. Not worrying if we are paying a premium dollar for a dog bone at the pet store, nor worrying if we are paying twice the price of Macy's at Capers.

I recently was sent out on the streets to procure auction items for our school auction. Was shocked at how many "No's" were on peoples' mouths.